Write-in candidate to face Bozrah first selectman

BOZRAH — A write-in candidate is challenging Bozrah First Selectman Bill Ballinger, who a few weeks ago had no opponent for the town’s top elected position.

Christopher “Kit” Sullivan, 30, said he decided to run after residents asked him to be a candidate.

“Quite a few people in town asked me to run,” he said. “They see the way the town is and think it’s time for a change.”

A Democrat, Sullivan filed paperwork for his run with the secretary of the state and became a registered write-in candidate last week.

“I’ve followed politics my whole life,” Sullivan said. “My family’s been in town for generations. I know what people want and what they don’t want in town.”

Sullivan said he’s not running simply to be another choice on the ballot. He has several things he’d like to change if elected.

The first selectman’s office, he said, doesn’t need two assistant positions.

“For such a small town, it’s not necessary,” he said.

Also, he wants to explore bringing more police patrols to town.

“There’s no police presence here, and that has to change,” he said.

Sullivan is a sales representative for a construction company. He also manages Tollgate Farms, his family’s nursery, in Bozrah.

Tax Collector Nancy Renshaw said Sullivan owes $1,263 in past due automobile taxes for 2007-09. Renshaw said that being in arrears on taxes doesn’t preclude candidates from running for elected office.

Sullivan said he was unaware of owing any back taxes.

“But if I do I’ll take care of it in a second,” he said.

Ballinger, a Democrat, said he is aware that Sullivan was running a write-in campaign.

“People can vote for who they want,” he said. But Ballinger is concerned that, with Sullivan’s name not on the ballot, people will assume the first selectman is unopposed and not vote for the position.

“I just want them to fill in something,” he said. “Don’t leave it blank.”

Sullivan’s candidacy also prompted Ballinger to send out a campaign postcard to residents this week, he said.